Apparatus and methods for providing humidity in respiratory therapy
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing positive pressure respiratory therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising:
- a flow generator configured to deliver pressurized air at an outlet;
a user interface defining an interface passage in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow generator, the interface passage defining at least one vent, wherein the user interface also comprises a mask defining a chamber of the interface passage, the mask configured to attach to the user such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an airway of the user, wherein the pressurized air provided by the flow generator is delivered through the interface passage into the chamber of the mask for inhalation by the user; and
a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a location distal of both the flow generator and the at least one vent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present inventions provide respiratory therapy apparatus that introduce water into the pressurized air delivered to a user during various positive airway pressure therapies and corresponding methods. The respiratory therapy apparatus may be configured to administer one or more positive airway pressure therapies, including: continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure therapy (BPAP), auto positive airway pressure therapy (autoPAP), proportional positive airway pressure therapy (PPAP), and/or other positive airway pressure therapies. The respiratory therapy apparatus may include a user interface that defines an interface passage to communicate pressurized air to the user for inhalation and a humidifier that introduces water into the pressurized air generally at the interface passage. Methods according to the present inventions may include introducing water into the interface passage at one or more humidifier ports disposed about the interface passage.
87 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing positive pressure respiratory therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising:
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a flow generator configured to deliver pressurized air at an outlet; a user interface defining an interface passage in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow generator, the interface passage defining at least one vent, wherein the user interface also comprises a mask defining a chamber of the interface passage, the mask configured to attach to the user such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an airway of the user, wherein the pressurized air provided by the flow generator is delivered through the interface passage into the chamber of the mask for inhalation by the user; and a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a location distal of both the flow generator and the at least one vent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for providing positive pressure respiratory therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising:
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a flow generator configured to deliver pressurized air at an outlet; a user interface defining an interface passage in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow generator, the interface passage defining a vent, wherein the user interface also comprises a mask defining a chamber of the interface passage, the mask configured to attach to the user such that one or more seals of the mask provides a sealed connection to an airway of the user, wherein the pressurized air provided by the flow generator is delivered through the interface passage into the chamber of the mask; and a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a humidifier port that is located between the vent and the one or more seals. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for providing positive pressure respiratory therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising:
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a flow generator configured to provide pressurized air at an outlet; a user interface defining an interface passage in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow generator, the interface passage defining a vent, wherein the user interface comprises a mask defining a chamber of the interface passage, the mask configured to attach to the user such that one or more seals of the mask provides a fluid connection with an airway of the user, wherein the pressurized air provided by the flow generator is delivered through the interface passage into the chamber of the mask and through the one or more seals; a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a location between the vent and the one or more seals; and a vent valve associated with the vent, the vent valve configured to be in at least;
a closed position during user inhalation; and
an open position during user exhalation. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification